National Chairman of the Labour Party, Julius Abure, has fired back at critics within the party, including 2023 presidential candidate Peter Obi and Governor Alex Otti of Abia State, over recent allegations of corruption and mismanagement.
Speaking on Tuesday in Abuja, Abure challenged his opponents to prove they gave him or the party any money during the 2023 elections. He denied ever receiving funds for personal use and warned that if provoked further, he would reveal damaging details about them.
“I want to challenge all of them. I saw some of them on television talking about corruption. Let any of them from Peter Obi down come forward and publicly declare what they personally gave to me or the party,” he said.
“Who brought the money? Who was it given to? Where was it sent? I challenge them today to come out boldly with or without evidence and say it. Otherwise, let them forever remain silent.”
Abure said he had kept silent until now in the interest of peace within the party. But he declared that the time for silence was over.
“As a leader, I kept quiet thinking they were making mistakes and would eventually come around.
“When issues about election agents and funds came up, I said nothing because I believed I should accept the good, the bad, and the ugly within our fold.
“But now that some have crossed the line, I have no choice. If they provoke me further, I will reveal everything. When I open my mouth, they will stink like rotten eggs no one wants to touch.”
He also announced plans to hold a world press conference to address the growing internal crisis in the party.
Turning to Governor Alex Otti, Abure accused him of not contributing financially to the party during the elections.
“That governor who is jumping like a cricket from one point to another, we did not collect a dime from him. If he gave money to anyone, let him come forward and say so,” he said.
“When we met at Transcorp, he asked me, ‘Chairman, what do I do for you?’ I told him, ‘Nothing. Use your money for your campaign.’”
